Sanctification Part 3

Friday 9th November

Point 1 : Do as people do in order to influence them and win them for Christ but at the same time keep the godly standards

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I become as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Paul worked hard to reach the lost and would try to find common ground with them and do things as they did in order to be able to witness to them. However, he kept the godly standard and in this way he influenced others, but they didn't influence him.
Jesus also sat with sinners, visited sinners in their homes and impacted their lives. But Jesus standard remained unchanged.


Point 2: Religion does not equal holiness. 

1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23 (Our body and spirit are God's because He paid a price for us, so we should set ourselves apart to glorify Him)

We need to keep ourselves free from the things of this world.The church at Corinth was very carnal and the people were involved in doing things that were very sinful and ungodly. The standards of today's world are very ungodly too.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves.......... rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, And from such people turn away.

This is a warning to watch out for religious godliness. Some times people go through religious motions and look 'holy' in what they are doing, however its empty and the power of Christ working in their lives is not there. Some people may be just so busy with false gods and idols that they have from people or things in this world. Some say we are our own god.

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 6, Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:13-16

God wants true godliness. A people who are truely set apart for Him to work in their lives by His Holy Spirit.


Point 3: Sanctification is a definite yet progressive work of grace, starting at the time of regeneration and continuing until we are with Jesus.

Hebrews 13:12
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.



Point 4: We were chosen for salvation, but only when we allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to walk in the truth and continue to be sanctified, then our name remains in the book of life.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

We are made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives enabling us to walk in the truth. But we have to make the decision and commit to believing the truth for this work of sanctification to take place.

Point 5: The Holy Spirit is preparing the Church to be what God wants it to be - ready for Jesus return

1 Peter 1:1-2
Ephesians 5:25-27
God wants to sanctify and cleanse the church. When Jesus comes back for the church, He wants to present it to Himself, 'a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'.

John 17:17 (Jesus praying for the believers - 'sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth'.)

The standard for the church is very high. But God has sent His Holy Spirit to prepare it for Himself. The importance of sanctification does not diminish over time, but everyone in the church must continue to follow the biblical standard of holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them daily.

Sanctification Part 2

Friday 19th October

Started by comparing the christian walk with an athletes training and discipline (Hebrews 12)
Summary:

• an athlete throws off hindrances (E.g. will avoid staying up late, will avoid junk food, will avoid distractions...) - a christian also needs to throw off hindrances that pull them down (Heb 12:1)
• an athlete studies the best - a christian needs to study the life and character of Jesus (Heb 12:2)
• an athlete must accept correction from the coach - a christian is corrected by God who believes we can be better (Heb 12:5-8)
• an athlete bears short term pain to receive a long term reward (win a medal) - a christian must accept God's discipline which is short term pain to get the long term reward (Heb 12:10-11). God wants to reward us with being partakers of his holiness and having the fruit of righteousness

So as an athlete cannot live any way they like, in the same way a christian also can't live any way they like. Instead must be set apart and living to a higher standard.

Sometimes the spirit is willing to be set apart and obey but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)

2 Corinthians 7:1 'Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' 

It is a choice with deliberate action required to get rid of the filthy things, then we will see holiness in our lives.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

key points

• some things may be lawful but actually not helpful and not good for us, so we shouldn't participate in these things (v12) Also 1 Cor 10:23 - all things are lawful, not all things edify.
• we are called as Christians to be members of Christ and one in spirit. (v17)
• those involved in prostitution and become joined to a harlot become one body with the harlot (v15,16) God can't be in someone who is with a prostitute.
• the church of Corinth were called to flee fornication otherwise they are sinning against their own bodies (v18)
• as Christians, our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It is not our own to do as we please (v19)
• WHY? because we were bought with a price (Jesus' blood) so we must glorify God in body and spirit. (v20)

 Think about things we do which may not hurt us but offend others. Leave such things alone. Separate ourselves for the Lord in all areas of our lives.

Sanctification Part 1

Friday 12th October,2018

Sanctification: What comes to mind?
Holiness, purity, being set apart for a purpose, being dedicated / consecrated to God, no compromise

1 Thessolonians 4:1-8

Key Points:

• God has called us out of uncleanness and into holiness.(v7)
• That means sexual sin like fornication (sex outside of marriage) is not allowed (v3)
• Even a wrong sexual desire (lust) is not allowed (v5)
• We must live in a way that pleases God (v1)

Sanctification refers to being holy. When a non believer chooses to repent and accept salvation, they are sanctified because they were called out of darkness into the light by God. Sanctification needs to be happening on a daily basis. Every day is a new start and God's will is for us to be sanctified. 

When people are living in sin such as fornication, they cannot hold leadership roles in the church. They cannot lay hands on people during prayer times (people don't want those involved in sexual sin imparting something on them during prayer). However, they need not be asked to leave the church because church is for everyone. (All are sinners) The reason to keep them from ministry roles is because there are boundaries and the church must uphold holiness as the standard. 

Leviticus 20:7-8 God spoke to Moses about holiness.

'Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.'

1 Peter 1:13-16

In vs 15-16  it says 'But as he which hath called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy,'

It's important that the standard of holiness is applied to all conversations (including the way we talk to ourselves), no matter whether we are at home, church or work. For some, we are the only Bible they will ever read. Others may not accept our standards, but we can at least let them know. We can keep these (God's) standards ourselves and let others know that certain things do not go well with us. God calls for holy living because He is a holy God.

In Hebrews 12:14, we are told that without holiness we cannot see the Lord. There's no sitting on the fence. Holiness is holiness. Anything else is uncleanliness. God's desire is for us to be holy in our homes, work places and church.

Baptism in The Holy Ghost (3)

Friday 21st September

Question: What is the significance of the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Points covered in the last discussion:
1. It meant the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of God in Joel 2:28-29 to pour out His Spirit upon all His people in the end times.
2. Since the last days of this age had begun everyone was now confronted with the decision to repent and believe in Christ.

New Points covered:

3. The disciples were 'endued with power from on high'

    Jesus said this would happen in Luke 24:49, it did happen in Acts 1:8 and the people noticed (Acts 4:13,33). 'Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.' Acts 4:13

Peter and John were totally different after the filling of the Holy Spirit compared to previously. Their boldness made them stand up and speak out in front of people who questioned them and even threatened them. Stephen is another example of someone who spoke boldly after being filled with the Holy Spirit. He was not intimidated by threats (Acts 6) , but instead he had the face of an angel.

See also Romans 15:19, John 16:8

1 Corinthians 14:!3-15, 18-19 and Romans 8:26 talk about speaking in tongues It's an 'unknown tongue' that we have not learned, but have been gifted with. If we pray with the spirit and then with understanding, we know what we said in tongues. Paul encouraged people to pray in tongues but with an interpretation so that the church may be edified.

4. Those who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit longed for others to be saved (Just as the Spirit longs for people of every nation to be saved). 

Romans 10:1 'Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.'

 Romans 9:1-3 Paul refers to a great heaviness (burden) in his heart that others would be saved.

Acts 2:28-40 Paul longed for others to be saved and urged them when he spoke

Acts 1:8 Having the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to be witnesses

5. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples became ministers of the Spirit. They led others into the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:38-39 The promise is for all to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:17 Believers in Samaria received the Holy Spirit after the disciples prayed for them.

Acts 9:17-18, When Ananias prayed for Saul, he prayed that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:44-48 First time for the Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit when Peter was preaching to Cornelius. They spoke with tongues too and then got baptised with water.

Acts 19:6-7 John the Baptist's disciples received the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues after Paul laid hands on them.

The Holy Spirit enables us to do the work of the Lord. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for us today and being anointed by His power is essential for the ministry we are doing.

Baptism in the Holy Ghost (2)

Friday 7th September

Speaking in tongues:

1.
There are tongues of men (all the languages spoken on earth) and there are tongues of angels (those languages which are not spoken anywhere on earth and even the devil doesn't understand. My spirit communicating directly with God's spirit.)

1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

2.
At Pentecost, Acts 2:5-12, people from everywhere were gathered in Jerusalem, and were amazed when they heard the disciples speaking in tongues because they could pick out their own languages being spoken. Clearly the disciples had never studied or learnt these languages so it was considered a 'supernatural and Divine' event.


Question: What is the significance of the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

1. It meant the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of God in Joel - that God was going to pour out His Spirit upon all people in the end times. 

Joel 2:28-29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Acts 2:16-21 Peter proclaimed to the crowds that what they had seen and heard was what the prophet Joel had prophesied many years earlier.

Acts 1:4-5, Matthew 3:11, Luke 24:49, John 1:33 The disciples were asked to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is something more than the baptism in water they had seen already.  They would be filled with power from on high.

2. Since the last days of this age had begun (as the prophet Joel spoke of) , everyone was now confronted with the decision to repent and believe in Christ. 

Acts 2:17 (Peter referred to Joel's prophecy)
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Acts 3: 19-21
Repent ye therefore and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began.

Matthew 3:1-2, Luke 13:3 Repentance was preached by John and Jesus.

Baptism in The Holy Ghost (1)

31st August




Acts 2:1-4
1. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
the whole house where they were sitting. 3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


Question: What happened to the followers that first pentecost?

• they heard a sound like a rushing wind
• they saw tongues of fire on each of them
• each was filled with the Holy Spirit
• each spoke in another tongue

Question: What's the difference between being baptised with the Holy Spirit and
being filled with the Holy Spirit?

• Being baptised with the Holy Spirit is part of what happens when we get saved.
• Being filled with the Holy Spirit is part of being renewed. We can be filled multiple times, even daily, but we will only be baptised with the Holy Spirit once.
• Even people in the old testament times were filled with the Holy Spirit before anyone had actually been baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Question: What if you once spoke in tongues but then didn't speak in tongues after this?

1. If the gift of tongues has been given, God will not retract it.
2. We can ask for this gift to be renewed.
3. The gift of tongues needs to be used and practised.

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) John talking
'I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'

John 14:16-17 (NKJV) Jesus talking
'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you. '


Jesus promised that the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is available to all believers even today.


Acts 1:4-8
Tells us that the Holy Spirit is a gift and that we will receive power when he comes on us.
This power will enable us to be witnesses.
The disciples were not given any dates or times for first receiving the Holy Spirit but just told to wait in Jerusalem, which they did.


Acts 2:38-39
Tells us to repent and be baptised and we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a promise for 'you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.'


Acts 10:44-48
In Acts 10 the Holy Spirit is poured out for the first time on the gentiles.


'The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.'

Water Baptism Part 1

15th June

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching the to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What is water baptism?
Water baptism is a commandment from Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Water baptism is for believers. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Water baptism is by full immersion. The greek word 'baptizo' means to immerse or overwhelm.
Water baptism is a symbol of a christian dying to the sinful self, burying this old life and gaining a new life just as Christ died, was buried and rose again. (Romans 6:4)
Water baptism is an outward testimony of what Christ has done for us on the inside.
(Colosians 2:11-12)
When we baptize, we baptize in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

In Acts 8, Philip comes across an Ethiopian man (a Eunuch) who was reading the scripture and not understanding it. The Eunuch invited Philip to explain the scripture to him. When they came to some water the Eunuch wanted to get baptized and because he chose to believe in Jesus Christ, Philip baptized him immediately. The Spirit then caught Philip away after the baptism.

Must we be baptized in water to be saved?
No.
The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) admitted that he deserved his crucifixion, while Jesus had done nothing wrong. He believed in Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that he would be in paradise with Jesus that day. There was no time to be water baptized but yet he could still go to heaven.

In 1 John 1:8-9, it states that confessing our sins is what is what is needed to be forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. There is no mention of water baptism here.
Likewise in Romans 10:9-10, it states that we must confess with our mouth and believe with our heart and we can be saved. Again no mention of water baptism.

Why do some people believe in baptismal regeneration? 
Some people will argue that we need to be water baptised in order to be saved. They will use verses like Mark 16:15-16 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved' to prove their point.

Another verse is John 3:5 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' But in this example (see the context John 3:1-7) the water is not referring to water baptism but rather the physical birth from a mother's womb. We know this because Jesus talks about flesh giving birth to flesh and the Spirit giving birth to spirit (John 3:6). So Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that being born again means that the Spirit has to impart something spiritual in us.

Acts 2:38 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
In this example Peter is referring to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, water baptism is again an external confession of an inward experience. Repentance leads to baptism and baptism showed in the Bible days that the Christians had received salvation.

Acts 22:16 'And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' 
Because this verse talks about being baptized and having your sins washed away, some would say that the water washes away your sin. However, only the Blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
Acts 10:43 'through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.'


Conclusion:

It is only what Christ has done for us on the cross that can save us. It was never meant to be anything that we have done that can earn us salvation. And it was always meant to be a simple confession with our mouth and belief in our heart that allows us to receive the salvation which Christ has already paid for with His life. Christ broke himself that in our brokenness we can be restored, healed and forgiven.